GV 1017 .B33 S2 Copy 1 JBattle-JSall. DR. SARGENT'S Normal School of Physical Training FOR WOMEN BEGINS The Third Thursday in October THE HARVARD Summer School of Physical Training FOR BOTH SEXES BEGINS The Last Thursday in June Send for Circulars to D. A. SARGENT, Director, Cambridge, Mass. I r J 3Sattle*»all, BY d. aFsargent, M. D. CAMBRIDGE, MASS. Copyright, 1894, by D. A. Sargent. Nw, &$$$ ::m\'ti fliWMiiMMdlf^MMs^ 0-3~®-< X GrV | 0f7 33352. -3-0 Players. 25 -$-•- -Q-Q- BATTLE-BALL Those of us whose duty it is to devise and pre- scribe exercises for the physical education of youth, have long felt the need of a new athletic or gym- nastic game. The present popularity of athletic sports, and the recognized value of competitive exercise as an aid to physical development, have stimulated an interest among all classes in some kind of recreative game. When we come to look over the list of games, however, that are applicable to the wants of the mass of players, we find the number exceedingly limited. Base-ball and foot-ball are unquestionably the most popular games, but they require so much space and give activity to so few that the great majority of our growing youth are debarred from the privilege of participating in them. Then, again, the high degree of skill that is now required of those who take part in these sports exacts more time for practice than most persons can afford to give. Even the game of lawn-tennis, which was once so universally played, has progressed beyond the ability of the average young man and woman. The time required for practice, and the limited area available for courts even in our largest universities, have deprived this most acceptable game of a great part of its usefulness. At the same time, the number of young men and women in our schools, colleges and various branches of mercantile and professional life, who are in need of the beneficial influence of some kind of recreative game, is con- stantly increasing. The essential requisites of such a game are as follows : It must be interesting enough in itself to arouse enthusiasm, quicken the circulation and respiration, and bring out some of those admirable mental qualities that are developed in foot-ball, base-ball, etc. ; it must be of such a nature as to admit of its being played within a floor space of about 1 200 square feet, such as is afforded by most gymnasiums ; it must be so simple that anyone can play it without long training or previous practice ; it must give special employment to the parts of the body which among the student class are most in need of development — the chest, waist, back, and left arm as well as the right arm ; it must engage the general activity of both mind and body, and keep every player on the alert ; it must be antag- onistic without allowing any opportunity for injury from personal contact or collision ; it must be capa- ble of expansion, so that large numbers can play it at the same time ; it must be a short, sharp and deci- sive game, so as to leave no room for disputes and discussions ; it must be free from danger of any kind that would be hazardous to life or limb ; it must be a game that can be played by either sex, in or out of doors according to the season. •After considerable experimenting, it has seemed to us that the new game, called "battle-ball," com- bines all of these requisites and essentials better than any game to which our attention has ever been called. It is a game which embraces at once some of the features of bowling, base-ball, cricket, foot-ball, hand-ball and tennis, COURTS OR PLAY GROUND. The size of the court may be regulated by the amount of space at the disposal of the players. The following measurements and arrangements, with the diagram, may suggest proportions suitable to a satisfactory playing of the game. A court with a length twice its width makes an exact square for each side — 50x25 feet having been found to give the amount of space most desirable for teams of five on a side. The lines should be marked on the floor or ground as shown on the diagram. The full lines on the side, with the broken lines at the ends, give the limits of the space enclosed for playing ; the broken line in the centre is the centre foul line, while the broken lines at the ends are the end foul, base or goal lines ; the border beyond represents the stop nets, which may be set five feet behind the goal lines ; over the goal lines, and seven feet above them, cords should be stretched from posts (jumping standards will serve the purpose) set at the corners of the court; on each goal line place three pairs of bowling pins, or Indian clubs of two or three pounds weight, one pair in the centre and the others three feet from the posts, the pins of each pair being eighteen inches apart. With teams of five, the three stationed in front of the pins serve as guards or goal tenders, while the forwards act mainly as throwers. When the game is played out of doors, and a larger number than usually make a team wish to play, several courts can be laid out side by side, the right side line of one answering for the left side line of another. Goal pins may be substituted by wands or sticks projecting about three feet above the ground ; and in place of the back stop nets, substitutes, or shacks, may be employed to chase the balls that pass the goal lines. A round rubber ball, filled with air and covered with leather (same material as a foot-ball), nine inches in diameter and weighing about a pound, has proved to be the most satisfactory missile and completes the outfit. DIRECTIONS FOR PLAYING. While five make the best number, three, four or six on a side may play the game comfortably and to advantage. The positions of the players may be changed about, but in a close contest it is de- sirable to have the best throwers in front, and the best catchers for guarding the goals. The side having the ball, which may be decided by the toss of a cent or other means, tries to throw it between the goal posts of the other side ; if it succeeds in doing this, ten points are scored in its favor ; failing to make a goal, but hitting a pin or post instead, five points are counted ; if the ball only passes the goal line under the cord, three points are made. Should the ball go over the goal cord, it is a foul and counts one against the side throw- ing it — this the goal tenders will try to cause by pushing the ball up instead of stopping it. If a thrower steps over the centre foul line, two points are counted against his side. The game may be played five, ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes, according to the condition of the players. Two ten minutes innings, with a five minutes rest between, makes a short, sharp and exciting game, and seems best suited to the interest and endurance of the average student. There should be a referee, two judges, and one or two scorers, though all of these functions maybe performed by one person in practice games. The referee keeps the time, starts the game, announces its progress, and settles all disputes. The judges watch for fouls, and report the points made by their respective sides to the scorers. If the score is posted on a blackboard in view of the players, the interest is much enlivened. POINTS OF INTEREST. In order to realize the best physical results from the game, the ball should be folded on the wrist and bowled with a straight arm, while the weight is thrown forward on the opposite leg and the body 8 swung nearly half round from the waist. By this movement the muscles of the chest, abdomen, loins and legs are brought into powerful action, and the ball can be thrown with greater speed and ac- curacy. The ball can be best stopped by blocking it with both arms, legs, and body, if necessary. When acting on the defensive, the throwers usually fall back to within a few feet of the goal tenders so as to cover the gaps between them — but not too far back, as this tires the players and gives no opportunity for the guards to stop such balls as pass the forwards. Nor should the guards play too far in front of their goal pins except when running to the front to throw the ball, at which time the exposed pins should be covered by one of the forwards. The constant aim should be to throw the ball through the pins, or an opening between the players instead of at the players who are prepared to catch it. In this game, as in foot-ball, skill may be shown in attacking or defending weak points, and in so conducting the game that the most points are made just when they are most needed. An interesting feature of the game is the fre- quency with which the score is changed, first one side and then the other being ahead ; which, with well-matched teams, leaves the final result uncer- tain until the last moment of play has expired. the: Narragansett Machine Company OF PROVIDENCE, R. I. Will furnish all of the articles necessary in Playing Battle-Ball LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 029 712 924 7 <